The ExplorePeoria Blog is an offshoot of ExplorePeoria.com, the Peoria Area’s Information Portal. Our weekly newsletter is posted on this blog for your convenience. Make sure to check out our Peoria Events Calendar. Here we’ll post our most recent
...

The ExplorePeoria Blog is an offshoot of ExplorePeoria.com, the Peoria Area’s Information Portal. Our weekly newsletter is posted on this blog for your convenience. Make sure to check out our Peoria Events Calendar. Here we’ll post our most recent weekly events & entertainment newsletter plus other information about new features at ExplorePeoria.com plus promotions, contests, etc. If you’re interested in being added on our blogroll, please email us.

Money Smart Week 2014 will take place throughout the Peoria area through Saturday featuring financial classes intended to improve money management skills throughout our community being offered to area residents at no cost. Approximately 45 free classes are being offered: for more information, visit www.moneysmartweek.org or visit any branch of the Peoria Public Library.

The Lilies and The Lorax Lily Show will take place at the Luthy Botanical Garden (located at 2520 N. Prospect Rd. in Peoria) from 10 am – 5 pm today (Thursday) – Saturday and Noon – 5 pm on Sunday. Admission is $2.50 for adults aged 13 and up, and free for children 12 and under and Garden members. For more information, call 309-686-3362 or visit www.peoriaparks.org

Another Round of Beer for Breakfast continues tonight (Thursday) at the Barn 2 Dinner Theatre in Goodfield and runs through April 20. On Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays, doors open at 6 pm, buffet is at 6:30 pm, and the show is at 8 pm. On Sundays, doors & the buffet open at noon and the show is at 1:30 pm. Prices are $33 for Thursdays, $35 for Fridays and Sunday brunch and $37 for Saturdays. For more information, call 309-965-2545 or go to www.barn2.com

The Peoria Chiefs will take on Dayton tonight (Thursday) beginning at 6:30 pm and Bowling Green on Friday beginning at 6:30 pm as well as Saturday and Sunday both beginning at 1 pm and at Dozer Stadium. Individual tickets are $10 for club box seating ($11 on Fireworks nights) and $7 for lawn seats and are available at the Peoria Chiefs Box Office, by calling 309-680-4008 or online at www.PeoriaChiefs.com

The Friends of Rocky Glen will host a Fundraiser at the Locker Room (located at 112 SW Jefferson in downtown Peoria) tonight (Thursday) from 5 – 8 pm. 10% of all food and non-alcoholic drink purchases will benefit the group to go toward to building a parking lot and trails in Peoria’s newest park. Learn about becoming a member, plus pick up a t-shirts and details on upcoming hikes and special events. For more information, visit www.friendsofrockyglen.org

Blue Man Group will perform at the Peoria Civic Center Theater tonight (Thursday) beginning at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $39, $56., $61, and $75 and are available at the Peoria Civic Center box office, by calling 800-745-3000 or online at www.Ticketmaster.com

Corn Stock for Kids will present Dorothy in Wonderland at the Corn Stock Theatre Center beginning at 7:30 pm tonight (Thursday) & Friday and at 2:30 pm on Saturday & Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for kids aged 12 & under and are available at the Corn Stock Theatre Center, by calling 309-676-2196 or online at www.cornstocktheatre.com

The Eureka College Theatre Department will present Godspell at Pritchard Theatre tonight (Thursday) through Saturday beginning at 7:30 pm and Saturday at 2 pm. Tickets are $5 and are available by calling 309-467-6363. For more information, visit http://www.eureka.edu/event/godspell

Shane Mauss will perform at the Jukebox Comedy Club tonight (Thursday) at 8 pm and Friday & Saturday at 8 pm & 10:30 pm. Tickets are $12 for the Thursday and Friday late shows and $15 for all other shows. For more information and to reserve seats, call 309-673-5853 or visit www.jukeboxcomedy.com

Live at the Five Spot at the Contemporary Art Center will feature Dorann & the Soul Mysticsbeginning on Friday at 5:30 pm. Admission is $7 for members, $10 for non-members, $6 for student & senior members and $9 for student & senior non-members. For more information, call 309-674-6877 or visit http://www.peoriacac.org

Auditions for Community Children’s Theatre’s Ragtime, School Edition will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (located at 3601 N North St. in Peoria) at 6 pm on Friday and at 10 am on Saturday. For more information call 309-681-2861.

Howlin’ on Water Dueling Pianos will take place in the Broadway Lounge at The Waterhouse (located in the MAXAM Building at the corners of Liberty and Washington in Downtown Peoria) with dinner seating beginning at 6 pm on Friday & Saturday. Admission for the dinner & show is $38 or limited availability show only seating beginning at 7:30 for $10 per person (open seating and payment must be made with cash or check only). Please note: the show is intended for adults and may not be suitable for children. For reservations, call 309-494-9100.

The 22nd Annual Peoria Jaycees International Beer Festival featuring over 250 quality craft micro brews and import beers will be held at Exposition Gardens on Friday from 6 – 10 pm where you can taste over 100 brews from all around the world plus try bites from local restaurants. A smaller, quieter beer testing event with the acoustic sounds of the local band, Corn Wolves, tickets for the Friday night event are $20 and include a 2014 glass souvenir glass plus food. 50% of the door proceeds will benefit the Greater Peoria Honor Flight. The Saturday event runs 1 – 8 pm and the first 4000 guests will receive commemorative sample glasses. Saturday tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door and are available at many area locations. Beer tickets are $1 each, with most beers requiring 1 ticket per 4 oz tasting. For a full list of beers available and to purchase tickets online, visit www.peoriabeerfest.com

The American Red Cross Central Illinois Chapter will host the Heartland Heroes Dinner 2014 with Sara Evans featuring a dinner in the Peoria Civic Center Arena on Friday beginning at 6 pm with the Heartland Heroes event and concert beginning at 7:30 pm. Admission is $36.50 – $42.50 and are available at the Peoria Civic Center box office, by calling 800-745-3000 or online at www.Ticketmaster.com

Jim Maloof’s Legacy of Love for the Arts in Central Illinois will be presented by ICC at Riverside Community Church (located at 207 NE Monroe in Peoria) on Friday beginning at 6:30 pm. Entertainment will include performances by ICC’s Vocal Jazz, the Maloof granddaughter trio, the Peoria Ballet, Peoria Players Theatre, Pick Percussions (formerly the Elite Drum Corps) plus a full performance of the 2014 ICC Readers’ Theatre show “Words of Freedom”. Admission is free, however, during intermission a good will offering benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will be collected. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/253864251455099/?ref=25

The Barrel of Laughs Comedy Night will be held at Kickapoo Creek Winery (located at 6605 N. Smith Rd. in Edwards) on Friday beginning at 6:30 pm. Enjoy dinner, drinks and laughs with Jay Harris and Mike Maxwell for $25 per person. For more information, call 309-495-9463 ext.1.

The Peoria Ballet will present Cinderella at the Five Points Performing Arts Center (located at 130 Wilmor Road in Washington) beginning at 7 pm on Friday & Saturday and also at 2 pm on Saturday. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students and are available at http://www.peoriaballet.com For more information, call 309-690-7880.

A Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt will be held from 8 – 9:30 pm at the Franciscan Recreation Complex (located at 908 Sterling Avenue in West Peoria). A nighttime hunt for eggs filled with candy and plenty of prizes, afterwards enjoy pizza, refreshments and games. All participants need to bring a flashlight and prize bag. Admission is $10 for Peoria residents and $15 for non-residents. For registration and more information, call 309-677-6705 or visit www.peoriaparks.org

The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the cities of Peoria and Washington and the Washington Chamber, will host Shop Washington this weekend. While many Washington businesses were undamaged in the November tornado and remain open, they need support from area residents. A CityLink bus for shoppers will depart from the Riverfront Clock Tower at 10 am on Saturday and stop at Russell’s Cycling & Fitness Center, Mt. Vernon Plaza and the Square in Washington, returning to Peoria at 3 pm. For more information, call 309-495-5974.

The 17th Annual Easter Egg Festival will be held at the Franciscan Recreation Complex (located at 908 Sterling Avenue in West Peoria) on Saturday from 9:30 – 11:30 am. Bring your Easter baskets and help find colorful eggs filled with candy and prizes plus before and after the hunt, there will be snacks, a coloring contest, face painting and a visit from the Easter Bunny. The hunt begins at 10:15 am and there will be three age groups. For more information, call 309-677-6705 or visit www.peoriaparks.org

The Peoria Zoo (located at 2218 N. Prospect Rd. in Peoria) will host its annual Easter Egg Celebration on Saturday beginning at 10:30 am for children ages up to 3, at 10:50 am for ages 4 – 6 and at 11:10 am for ages 7 – 9. Admission is $6.50 for non-member children or $3.50 for member children and $9 for non-member adults. For more information, call 309-681-3559 or visit www.peoriazoo.org

The Peoria Historical Society’s 80th Anniversary event, “Peoria Hosts: Famous Guests in the River City“, will take place in the Peoria Civic Center Ballroom in downtown Peoria on Saturday with a boutique opening at 10 am and the luncheon beginning at 11:30 am. Featuring 6 famous people who played in Peoria in the past 200 years, the performance will chronicle historical entertainment through snippets of speeches, costumes, dancing and more. Tickets are $40 and reservations are required. For more information, call 309-674-1921 or visit www.peoriahistoricalsociety.org

Friends of Rocky Glen will host a Hike in Peoria’s newest park, Rocky Glen on Saturday from 10 am – Noon leaving from Jimmy’s Bar (located at 2801 W. Farmington Road in Peoria.) All hikers will be shuttled to the trailhead by van. The hike is around 1.5 miles long over rough ground. Please wear sturdy shoes and long pants. For more information, visit www.friendsofrockyglen.org

A Prairie Garden Workshop will take place on Saturday from 10 am – Noon at Forest Park Nature Center (located at 5809 N. Forest Park Drive in Peoria Heights). Participants will learn the basics of starting their own native prairie garden at home, the benefits of native landscaping, how to propagate prairie plants and planning your garden to work with your site. Participants will then get to take home a prairie plant to start their own garden. Admission is $15. For more information about the class call 309-686-3360 or visit www.peoriaparks.org

Illinois Central College will host its 10th Annual International Fair on Saturday from noon – 3 pm in the East Peoria Campus cafeteria. Meet some of ICC’s international students, see a fashion show of traditional costumes from their home countries, and celebrate their cultures through music, entertainment, food samples, cultural booths and dancing. The fair is open to the public with a suggested $2 donation and children 12 and under are free. All proceeds go towards an international student scholarship fund. For more information, call 309-694-8817.

An Easter Egg Hunt will be held at Northtrail Park (located at 1621 Meadowview Dr. in Peoria) on Saturday beginning at Noon featuring candy and prized-filled eggs for children under 10. Fee is $4 per child and registration required. For more information and to register, call 309-681-2854 or visit www.peoriaparks.org

Former NASA space shuttle commander Scott Altman will speak on “Reaching for the Stars” at the Cerf Center on the Eureka College campus on Saturday beginning at 11:30 am as part of alumni weekend activities. Altman, son of Eureka College alumni Fred and Sharon Altman of Pekin, logged more than 50 days in space during four space flights. He will discuss growing up in central Illinois and his experiences in the Navy and at NASA. Tickets for the event are $30. For more information, call 309-467-6319.

The Peoria Push Roller Derby Dames will take on the Prairieland Punishers at the Peoria Civic Center on Saturday beginning at 5 pm. Tickets are $10 in advance and $13 at the door and kids 6 and under are free. For more information, visit www.peoriarollerderby.org

An old-fashioned Barn Dance will take place at the Shore Acres Clubhouse at the Shore Acres Clubhouse in Chillicothe) on Saturday beginning at 7 pm. Live music will be provided by the great string band, The Mound City Slickers and callers Jim Hicks and Gail Hintze teach all the dances so beginners are welcome. Admission is $5, with a $20 maximum for families. You are invited to bring a snack to share. For more information and directions, call 309-274-5358 or 309-274-2228.

Songs from the Woods will feature Wil Maring in concert at Forest Park Nature Center (located at 5809 N. Forest Park Drive in Peoria Heights) on Saturday beginning at 7 pm. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for ages 12 and under with a $1 discount for CORE members. For more information, call 309-686-3360 or visit www.peoriaparks.org

The Peoria Symphony Orchestra will perform at the Peoria Civic Center Theater on Saturday beginning at 8 pm. American Classics will feature Béla Fleck on banjo and Nathaniel Olson, baritone. Tickets range from $35 – $80 and are available at the PSO Box Office, by calling 309-671-1096 or online at www.peoriasymphony.org

Salsa Night at The Black Rabbit (located at 456 Fulton Street in Peoria) begins with free lessons on Saturday from 8:30 – 9:30 pm and open dancing is from 9:30 pm – 12:30 am. Admission for students is free with ID or $10 for adults. For more information, visit www.peorialatinvibe.com

The Bradley University Community Chorus Spring Concert featuring music of Johannes Brahms will be held at Dingeldine Music Center (locate at 1417 W. Barker Ave. in Peoria) on Sunday beginning at 3 pm. Admission is $5 for adults and free for students at the door or by calling 309-677-2650.